2 weeks ago i had a neuro appointment and was told things looked ok, and in his opinion no need for further investigation.

About a week ago i noticed, quite innocently noticed that i was having some weird sensations in my right shin. i had a look whilst in bed when i noticed that my right calf was noticeably smaller than my left. it is also far softer in terms of muscle. The inner calf muscle will hardly tense.

Whats made matters worse is that the calf is gently twitching on a permanent basis. This does not stop, regardless of position. The widespread twitching elsewhere stops and starts.

The right leg tires far sooner than the left.

I have measured my calf and it is 3/4 of an inch smaller than my left

So now, before i go into complete meltdown, what do you think? Is this a significant deterioration? I am thinking that it is and am not sure how to deal with it.

Thanks . Dave.

Question

Last edited by englishdave on January 26th, 2012, 8:49 am, edited 2 times in total.

Englishdave, I have all that stuff in my right leg too as you have most likely seen in my 136-symptoms thread. I am right handed too, but still my right leg is weaker, I have worse balance there, my toe-tapping is ways less coordinated and my muscles are less pronounced. I guess I have Piriformis issues there, because I have the shin and toe numbness and a lot of pain and stiffness in that leg. I am dealing with this right-leg-crap now for over 7 months. My symptoms have improved, I come from a point when I could hardly walk with that leg because it was completely sore and uncoordinated, and now I still feel the stuff, but I have no more probs walking , even for a longer time. Constant calve fasciculatiuons even while standing are very common in BFS and absolutely nothing to worry about. Many people here can even trigger twitches by a slight tension. Just because you are right handed does not mean your right leg has to be "better" than the left.

"Our anxiety does not come from thinking about the future, but from wanting to control it" Kahlil GibranAnxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained

englishdave wrote:So now, before i go into complete meltdown, what do you think? Is this a significant deterioration? I am thinking that it is and am not sure how to deal with it.

I've been asking this question myself: My right calf is also slightly smaller (0,5 cm), and both calves constantly twitch for many years anyway. When tensed, the inner muscle doesn't feel as hard as the left one. I've shown this to my neurologist about three years ago and he said that no one is completely symmetrical. I took a photo back then and compare it to the old one from time to time: At least it hasn't progressed, which it probably would have after three years if it was ALS.

It wouldnt bother me so much, however i know when all this started ( around October last year ), my right calf was slightly larger than my left. now its 3/4 of an inch smaller and continually has fine fasciculations.

That has been one of my biggest worries, my right calf is softer and smaller than my left. I was told by friends on the board that with bfs it releases a acid or something with can cause the muscles to be soft. I can't remember the exact words but Chrissi will know just ask her, now almost three years later my right calve is firm as heck now so trust me just try to not put ur mind down the bad tunnel. Try not to compair ur body, that was one of my biggest downfalls. u are totally ok I swear ?! ash

I swear to u on everything I have I only had twitching on the calve I swear! I can also tell u that I have gotten many pedicures in the last two and half years and the lady says everytime it's softer now that put me in a hole! Someone who knows nothing about what I have been experiencing! my right calve is where it started. Pm me if u want more details ?

One leg is usually bigger than the other. If you are right handed it is usually the left leg but there are no rules.

ALS does not work like u describe. ALS defuncts your muscles. THEN they shrink. So if one leg where inches smaller due to ALS, you would notice other stuff by now. (A couple of years!!!). Like being in a wheelchair or in the grave... Perhaps you guys should think of other options?